Vinesh Phogat’s return to wrestling: HC seeks WFI decision on notices in two weeks

The Delhi High Court has directed the Wrestling Federation of India to decide two show-cause notices against Vinesh Phogat within two weeks. Any decision taken after that period will remain in abeyance until the next hearing on January 20, 2027

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has asked the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to decide within two weeks on two show-cause notices issued to grappler Vinesh Phogat over allegations of violating anti-doping rules and misconduct.

Justice Amit Mahajan, in an order passed on October 29 on Phogat’s petition, said a sportsperson has to be mentally relaxed to participate in any competitive event. He clarified that any decision on the notices issued on May 9 and June 17 would be kept in abeyance until the next date of hearing on January 20, 2027.

---

Phogat’s senior counsel said no final order had yet been passed on the two show-cause notices.

He argued that, although there was no impediment to the petitioner participating in any upcoming tournaments at this stage, there was an apprehension that an adverse decision before the commencement of future tournaments would leave her without an appropriate remedy.

Terming the predicament “genuine”, Justice Mahajan said, “A sportsperson has to be in a fit and relaxed state of mind to participate in any competitive event of such nature as indicated so that their performance is not compromised in any way.”

“In view of the same, the respondents are directed to take a decision on the impugned SCNs (show-cause notices), within a period of two weeks. If the decision is taken, after two weeks, the same shall be kept in abeyance till the next date of hearing. List on 20.01.2027,” the court ordered.

Phogat’s senior counsel said she wished to participate in a national tournament scheduled to be held around the middle of December, and the show-cause notices were “kept as a hanging sword” over her.

The court was hearing Phogat’s petition seeking the quashing of the two show-cause notices issued to her by the WFI over allegations of indiscipline and violation of anti-doping rules, as well as the disciplinary proceedings initiated against her.

The court issued notices to the WFI and the Centre on the petition.

In her plea, Phogat said the two notices issued to her on May 9 and June 17 were part of a “continuing pattern of arbitrary and mala fide action” by the WFI, obstructing her return to competitive wrestling after maternity.

In the May 9 show-cause notice, the WFI declared Phogat ineligible to participate in all its competitions and events until June 26, raising allegations relating to the Paris 2024 Olympic weigh-in, anti-doping whereabouts, temporary retirement and her participation in two weight categories during the 2024 selection trials.

The second notice was issued to her over alleged misconduct at the Asian Games selection trials in May.

The plea contended that the WFI acted against her despite the International Testing Agency having cleared her to compete from January 1, 2026. However, the WFI adopted an eligibility framework that effectively excluded Phogat from the selection process and immediately issued the first show-cause notice alleging anti-doping and whereabouts violations.

The show-cause notices and consequential proceedings constitute a continuing impediment to her return to elite competition and have the potential to prejudice her eligibility, nomination and participation in forthcoming competitions, the plea said.

On July 6, the court, while dealing with Phogat’s plea concerning the Asian Games selection trials, had given the WFI two weeks to decide on the May 9 show-cause notice.